Peroxisome damage and alcohol-related liver disease
Roles of peroxisomal dysfunction in alcohol-related liver disease
This project is looking into whether damage to tiny liver parts called peroxisomes causes harmful bile acid buildup that makes alcohol-related liver disease worse for people who drink heavily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324515 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I take part, researchers will compare liver tissue and blood from people with alcoholic hepatitis to samples from specially bred mice that lack a key peroxisome gene (PEX3) in liver cells. They will measure peroxisome markers and bile acid levels to see whether peroxisome problems lead to buildup of toxic bile acid intermediates. The team will use molecular and biochemical tests in the lab to trace how peroxisome changes affect liver cell health and sensitivity to alcohol. Their approach combines human samples and animal models to link what they see in patients with mechanisms that could be targeted for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with alcoholic liver disease or alcoholic hepatitis who are receiving care at the study center or nearby collaborating hospitals.
Not a fit: People whose liver disease is caused by non-alcohol-related conditions (for example viral hepatitis or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to prevent or treat bile acid-related damage in people with alcohol-related liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies and early patient sample data suggest peroxisome damage is linked to alcohol liver injury, but using peroxisome-focused approaches as a treatment strategy is still new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhong, Wei — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhong, Wei
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.